News
IDFA Supports Dairy Choices In Schools
April 2, 2010 5:12 am | CommentsWASHINGTON (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — The International Dairy Foods Association applauds Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT), co-chair of the U.S. House Dairy Caucus, for introducing last week the Healthy Milk and Dairy Choices in Schools Act of 2010. The bill would require milk served in school lunches to be consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommends lowfat and nonfat varieties.
Bimbo Bakeries Fined $230K For Violations
April 2, 2010 5:12 am | CommentsLOS ANGELES (AP) — State regulators have fined Bimbo Bakeries more than $230,000 for violations of health and safety laws at three of its California plants. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health said Thursday that citations were issued at Bimbo Bakeries in Montebello, Escondido and South San Francisco.
Japan To Continue Beef Trade Talks With U.S.
April 2, 2010 5:11 am | CommentsTOKYO, April 2 (Kyodo) — Farm minister Hirotaka Akamatsu on Friday said Japan intends to continue talks with the United States on the beef trade, even though restrictions on U.S. beef imports were likely to remain. The agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister made the remarks at a press conference ahead of U.
Study: Small Soda Taxes Don't Dent Obesity
April 2, 2010 5:11 am | CommentsATLANTA (AP) — Small taxes on soda do little to reduce soft drink consumption or prevent childhood obesity, but larger levies probably would, according to new research. The study is being released as a recent wave of proposals would raise soda taxes or create new ones on sugared beverages.
California Slaughter Restrictions Extended To Pigs
April 2, 2010 5:10 am | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge ruled Wednesday that a California law against slaughtering livestock that is unable to walk can be applied to pigs. Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Alex Kozinski found that federal meat inspection rules did not pre-empt California's ban on slaughtering the animals.
Beer Is Near In New Albany
April 2, 2010 5:09 am | CommentsNEW ALBANY, Miss. (AP) — Sometime in the next couple of weeks, someone will buy the first lawful beer in New Albany in the memory of most people living here. Sales of beer and light wine were approved by city voters Jan. 12, and on March 2 aldermen finalized the ordinance regulating those sales.
FDA Recall Oysters
March 31, 2010 6:05 am | CommentsSILVER SPRING, Md. (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working with state health officials from Mississippi and Louisiana to notify consumers, food service operators and retailers nationwide about an outbreak of norovirus associated with oysters recently harvested from an area near Port Sulphur, La.
Calorie Labeling Could Lead To Healthier Fast Food
March 31, 2010 6:03 am | Comments(AP) — Will a national requirement for chain restaurants to post calorie counts sound the death knell for bacon cheeseburgers and double chocolate doughnuts? The calorie-posting mandate, signed into law by President Barack Obama as part of the health care overhaul, assumes diners will feel the culinary equivalent of sticker shock when confronted with calorie counts for greasy, sugary and fatty foods.
Wis. Committee Approves Raw Milk Bill
March 31, 2010 6:00 am | CommentsMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin dairy farmers could legally sell raw, unpasteurized milk directly to consumers despite potential health risks under a bill an Assembly committee approved Tuesday. The move clears the way for a vote in the full Assembly. An identical bill is ready for a vote before the full Senate as well, but time is running out.
Chiquita, Danone Pair Up On Fruit Drinks In Europe
March 31, 2010 5:57 am | CommentsCINCINNATI (AP) — Chiquita Brands International Inc. and Groupe Danone SA are pairing up to market beverages based on Chiquita's Just Fruit In a Bottle line in Europe. The joint venture announced Tuesday calls for the two companies to be financial and operational partners. Danone will manage the operation, which will have its headquarters in Paris.
Vilsack Faces Difficulty Reopening Japan's Beef Market
March 31, 2010 5:48 am | CommentsWASHINGTON (Kyodo News International) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Tuesday acknowledged the difficulty in convincing Japan to fully reopen its beef market to imports from the United States. "I have no illusions how easy this is going to be. It's obviously going to be difficult," he told a press briefing ahead of his trip to Japan next week.
SunChips Introduces First Compostable Chip Bag
March 31, 2010 5:45 am | CommentsPLANO, Texas (PRNewswire) — On the eve of Earth Month, the SunChips brand today officially introduces the world's first 100 percent compostable chip bag at an event in Los Angeles, along with details about a new national consumer education effort to encourage composting and greener lifestyles.
America's Egg Farmers Lend Helping Hand To Local Communities
March 30, 2010 4:53 am | CommentsALPHARETTA, GA (PRNewswire) — America's egg farmers are lending a helping hand to their local communities this Easter by teaming up with Feeding America to donate 12 million eggs to food banks across the country. The eggs donations will span approximately 90 cities in 33 states leading up to Easter on April 4.
Hormel Foods Opens New Production Site
March 30, 2010 4:50 am | CommentsAUSTIN, Minn. (AP) — Food processor Hormel Foods Corp. is opening a new plant in Dubuque, Iowa, on Wednesday, the first new production facility the company has built in more than 25 years. The 348,000-square-foot, $89 million plant employs about 90 people and could employ up to 300 at maximum capacity.
Tainted Milk Activist Goes On Trial In China
March 30, 2010 4:48 am | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — A man who organized a support group for parents of children sickened in one of China's worst food safety scandals pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of inciting social disorder, his lawyer said. Zhao Lianhai was behind a push for greater accountability and compensation for the victims and their families of the 2008 scandal that shocked China.
Foes Of Proposed Bottling Plant Hand In Petitions
March 30, 2010 4:45 am | CommentsCASCADE LOCKS, Ore. (AP) — Foes of a proposed Nestle Waters North America bottling plant in Cascade Locks, Ore., on Monday handed state wildlife officials petitions bearing 3,700 signatures of people against the project. Nestle's plan is to tap a nearby spring that supplies an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife hatchery.
U.S. Investigator Hears NY Milk Price Complaints
March 30, 2010 4:43 am | CommentsBATAVIA, N.Y. (AP) — The nation's top federal antitrust investigator on Monday assured desperate dairy farmers that the government also wants to know why they are being paid so little for milk when the price shoppers pay in stores is holding steady. At the invitation of U.S. Sen.
Sanderson Farms Planning Expansion
March 30, 2010 4:41 am | CommentsLAUREL, Miss. (AP) — Sanderson Farms Inc. says it plans to possibly locate a new $94 million poultry complex near Goldsboro, N.C. that would employ about 1,100 people. The Laurel, Miss.-based company said Monday the plan is contingent on state and local economic incentives, obtaining property and permits and approval of Sanderson Farm lenders of a change to its revolving credit agreement.
